More turmoil for Man United, Tottenham - Nottingham Forest’s title challenge strengthens

MANCHESTER, England:

Goals from Yankuba Minteh, Kaoru Mitoma and Georginio Rutter at Old Trafford consigned United to a 10th defeat in the English Premier League. Bruno Fernandes scored for United from the penalty spot.

It was a seventh defeat in 15 games overall under new head coach Ruben Amorim and highlighted the massive job the Portuguese has on his hands to revive the record 20-time English champions.

Tottenham's woeful campaign also sunk to new depths with a 3-2 loss at relegation-fighting Everton, but Nottingham Forest's unlikely title challenge goes from strength to strength after a 3-2 win against last-placed Southampton.

Manchester City are up to fourth after routing Ipswich 6-0.

FANS TAUNTED

United fans were taunted by Brighton supporters as many made their way to the exit before the final whistle.

This was the third season in a row Brighton have won at Old Trafford and the victory completed a double against United this campaign.

Six defeats from the first 12 home league games of the season is United's worst run since 1893-94, according to the Premier League's statistician Opta, and Amorim admitted his team may have hit a new low in the club's storied history.

"We've got all the bad records as losing games at home, losing games in the Premier League, so we are really underperforming. And we need to win games, that's all," he said.

A glum-looking Amorim watched on from the sidelines as his team went behind in the fifth minute. Fernandes equalised before the break, but Brighton took control in the second half, with Mitoma converting at the far post on the hour and substitute Rutter taking advantage of United goalkeeper Andre Onana's error when failing to keep hold of a simple cross.

Amorim was brought in to turn round United's fortunes after more than a decade of onfield decline since former manager Alex Ferguson retired in 2013.

But despite arriving with a big reputation, having led Sporting Lisbon to two Portuguese league titles, he has been slow to have a major impact in England.

A recent draw against league leaders Liverpool and victory against Arsenal on penalties in the FA Cup did a lot to lift the mood around the club. But given that shoot-outs are officially recorded as draws, it is only one win in eight games for United.

Before kick-off, United fans paid tribute to iconic striker Denis Law, who, it was confirmed on Friday, had died at age 84.

SPURS SLIDING

It's even worse for Tottenham, which saw their woeful run of form extend to one win in 10 games in the league.

Spurs' only league win since the end of November was against Southampton on December 15.

Ange Postecoglou's team is into the semi-finals of the English League Cup and leads Liverpool 1-0 after the first leg, but they are just three places above the relegation zone.

The semi-final second leg isn't until February 6 at Anfield and speculation over Postecoglou's position is mounting.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Iliman Ndiaye and Archie Gray (own-goal) all scored for Everton before half-time at Goodison Park.

Spurs mounted a late fightback with goals from Dejan Kulusevski and Richarlison, but it wasn't enough to deny David Moyes his first win since returning to Everton for his second spell in charge.

FOREST FLYING

The season's unlikeliest story goes on.

It's nine games unbeaten in all competitions for third-placed Forest, who are six points behind Liverpool and level with Arsenal in second.

Nuno Espirito Santo's team has won seven of its last eight league games, but had to withstand a fightback from Southampton after going 3-0 up at half-time through goals from Elliot Anderson, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Chris Wood.

It took Ola Aina's athletic goal-line clearance to prevent Southampton from making it 3-3 deep into added time. Jan Bednarek and Paul Onuachu scored for Southampton. -AP